View source for Jerry Springer: The Opera

{{short description|2001 British musical by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox musical
|name= Jerry Springer: The Opera
|subtitle=
|image= Jsto.jpg
|caption=
|music= [[Richard Thomas (musician)|Richard Thomas]]
|lyrics= Richard Thomas<br>[[Stewart Lee]]
|book= Richard Thomas<br>Stewart Lee
|basis= ''[[The Jerry Springer Show|Jerry Springer]]''
|productions=2001 [[Battersea]]<br>2002 [[Edinburgh]]<br>2003 [[London]]<br>2005 [[BBC Two]] broadcast<br>2006 UK tour<br>2009 [[Sydney]]<br>2018 [[Off-Broadway]]<br>2019 [[Manchester]]
}}
'''''Jerry Springer: The Opera''''' is a British [[Musical theater|musical]] written by [[Richard Thomas (musician)|Richard Thomas]] and [[Stewart Lee]], based on the [[talk show]] ''[[The Jerry Springer Show|Jerry Springer]]''. It contains irreverent treatment of [[Christianity|Christian]] themes, extensive [[profanity]], and [[surrealism|surreal]] images, such as a troupe of [[tap dance|tap-dancing]] [[Ku Klux Klan]] members.

The musical ran for 609 performances in London from April 2003 to February 2005 before touring the UK in 2006. It won four [[Laurence Olivier Awards]], including Best New Musical. The first North American performance was at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]] in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]]. The musical has been performed by a number of American regional theatre companies and made its New York City debut on 29–30 January 2008 at [[Carnegie Hall]]. [[Harvey Keitel]] starred as Jerry.

In January 2005, its [[British television]] broadcast on [[BBC Two]] elicited 55,000 complaints.<ref>{{cite news| author=Simon Freeman| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1547719,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012023429/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1547719,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 October 2008 | title=BBC 'right' to screen Jerry Springer musical| work=The Times| date=30 March 2005| access-date=22 May 2006 | location=London}}</ref> The organisation [[Christian Voice (UK)|Christian Voice]] led street protests against the screening at nine [[BBC]] offices<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/4158977.stm| title=Protest held over Springer show| work=BBC News| date=9 January 2005| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref> and announced their intention to bring [[blasphemy]] charges, due to the depictions of the Christian characters in Act II. The [[Christian Institute]] attempted to bring a private prosecution against the BBC,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4606085.stm| title=Legal threat over Springer opera| work=BBC News| date=3 June 2005| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref> but the magistrates' court refused to issue a summons, a decision which was later upheld by the [[High Court of Justice]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4098752.stm| title=Springer Opera legal bid rejected| work=BBC News| date=16 June 2005| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref> Protests continued at tour venues in 2006 and on the Internet.

==Principal roles==
(Sometimes the roles are shared by the person playing the first role; sometimes the roles are played by additional actors)
*'''[[Jerry Springer]]''' – Host of ''Jerry Springer''.
*'''Jonathan Weiruss/[[Satan]]''' – Weiruss, the warm-up man whom ''Jerry Springer'' fires for incompetence.
*'''[[Steve Wilkos]]''' – Head of Security at ''Jerry Springer''.
*'''Dwight/[[God]]''' – ''Dwight'', a guest on the show who is cheating on his fiancée with two other people. ''God'' appears in Act III.
*'''Peaches/Baby Jane''' – ''Peaches'', a guest on the show, who is ''Dwight's'' fiancée. ''Baby Jane'' is an adult baby who appears in all three acts.
*'''Tremont/Angel [[Gabriel]]''' – ''Tremont'', a guest on the show, a cross-dressing man who is having an affair with Dwight. ''Angel Gabriel'' appears in Act III.
*'''Zandra/Irene/Mary''' – ''Zandra'', a guest on the show, is the best friend of ''Peaches'', and is having an affair with ''Dwight''. ''Irene'' is ''Shawntel's'' ashamed mother. ''Mary'' appears in Act III.
*'''Montel/[[Jesus]]''' – ''Montel'', a guest on the show, enjoys dressing as a baby and fouling his own underwear. ''Jesus'' appears in Act III.
*'''Andrea/[[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]]''' – ''Andrea'', a guest on the show, is ''Montel's'' lover. ''Archangel Michael'' appears in Act III.
*'''Chucky/[[Adam]]''' – ''Chucky'', a guest on the show, is ''Shawntel's'' [[redneck]] husband, who does not approve of her career desires. ''Adam'' appears in Act III.
*'''Shawntel/[[Eve]]''' – ''Shawntel'', a guest on the show, dreams of becoming an exotic dancer, but her husband, ''Chucky'', disapproves. ''Eve'' appears in Act III.

==Synopsis==

===Act I===
[[Jerry Springer]]'s frenzied audience greets him as he arrives at his notorious TV talk show. His first guest, Dwight, is cheating on Peaches with Zandra. The three fight, and Jerry's security men break up the battle. Jerry is briefly admonished by his inner [[Valkyrie]]. Dwight is also cheating with a cross dresser named Tremont. After a commercial break, Jerry's second guest, Montel, tells his partner, Andrea, that he likes to dress as a baby and that he is cheating on her with Baby Jane, a woman who dresses as a little girl. Jerry's Warm-Up Man contributes to Andrea's humiliation and is fired. Jerry again wrestles with his inner Valkyrie. Jerry's final guests are Shawntel and her husband, Chucky. She wants to be a stripper and demonstrates a dance before her mother, Irene, arrives. Irene attacks Shawntel. Chucky pleads innocence, but Jerry's secret JerryCam camera footage shows that Chucky is a patron of strip clubs and a [[Ku Klux Klan]] member. The Klan comes up on stage, and the Warm Up Man gives Montel a gun. The Warm-Up Man jostles Montel, who accidentally shoots Jerry.

===Act II===
Jerry is found injured in a wheelchair, accompanied by his security man, Steve. The scene is Purgatory, a fog-enshrouded wilderness. Jerry meets ghostly versions of his talk show guests, who have all suffered unpleasant fates. Jerry tries to justify his actions to the ghosts. The Warm-Up Man arrives and is revealed to be [[Satan]]. Baby Jane asks Satan to spare Jerry's soul. Satan forces Jerry to return to [[Hell]] with him to do a special show.

===Act III===
Jerry arrives in Hell at a charred version of his Earthly TV studio. The audience is locked into cracks in its walls. Jerry reads cue cards produced by Baby Jane that introduce Satan, who is in charge of the proceedings. Satan seeks an apology for his expulsion from Heaven and wants to reunite Heaven and Hell. Jerry must faithfully read the cue cards, which introduce [[Jesus]], the next guest, who resembles Montel. Jesus and Satan trade accusations. [[Adam and Eve]] are next; they are reminiscent of Chucky and Shawntel. They argue with Jesus, and Eve eventually attacks him. [[Mary, mother of Jesus]], who resembles Irene, condemns Jesus. Everyone turns against Jerry, who hopes for a miracle.

[[God]] and the [[angel]]s arrive and ask Jerry to come to Heaven and help God judge Humanity. He accepts the offer, but the angels and devils fight over Jerry; and the talk-show host finds himself suspended over a pit of flame. Jerry launches into a series of glib homilies asking for his life, but finally gives up and makes an honest statement that resounds with his audience. Devils, angels, and everyone sing a hymn of praise to life.

Back on solid ground, Baby Jane tells Jerry that he must go back to Earth. Jerry wakes up in his television studio, having been shot, his life ebbing away as he is cradled in Steve's arms. Jerry gives a final speech, and everyone is joined in sorrow.

==Musical numbers==
The musical is mostly [[sung-through]]. [[Steve Wilkos]] has a brief speech, and [[Jerry Springer]] speaks his lines.

In 2018, Thomas revised the score.<ref name="WRAL">{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Margaret|date=2018-01-17|title=At Long Last, It's 'Jerry Springer' Time, With Arias and Dancing|url=https://www.wral.com/at-long-last-it-s-jerry-springer-time-with-arias-and-dancing/17267638/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=WRAL.com|language=en}}</ref> He added 2 songs to "better highlight the parallels between Jonathan and the Devil", rewrote some of the grooves to be "hipper", and added a song for Springer. Thomas also removed some "unnecessarily aggressive" gay slurs.{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Act I
# "Overtly-Ture"
# "Audience Very Plainsong"
# "Ladies and Gentlemen"
# "Have Yourselves a Good Time"
# "Bigger than Oprah Winfrey"
# "Foursome Guests"
# "I've Been Seeing Someone Else"
# "Chick With a Dick"
# "Talk to the Hand"
# "Adverts 1"
# "Intro to Diaper Man"
# "Diaper Man"
# "Montel Cums Dirty"
# "This is my Jerry Springer Moment"
# "Mama Gimmee Smack on the Asshole"
# "I Wanna Sing Something Beautiful"
# "Adverts 2"
# "The First Time I Saw Jerry"
# "Backstage Scene"
# "Poledancer"
# "I Just Wanna Dance"
# "It Has No Name"
# "Some are Descended from Angels"
# "Jerrycam"
# "Klan Entrance" / "End of Act One"
{{col-break}}
; Act II
# "Gloomy Nurses"
# "Purgatory Dawning"
# "Eat Excrete"
# "The Haunting"
# "Him Am the Devil"
# "Every Last Mother Fucker Should Go Down"
# "Grilled and Roasted"
{{col-break}}
; Act III
# "Transition Music"
# "Once in Happy Realms of Light"
# "Fuck You Talk"
# "Satan & Jesus Spat"
# "Adam & Eve & Mary"
# "Where Were You?"
# "Behold God"
# "It Ain't Easy Being Me"
# "Marriage of Heaven & Hell"
# "This is my Cheesey Jerry Springer Moment"
# "Jerry it is Finished"
# "Jerry Eleison"
# "Please Don't Die"
# "Take Care"
# "Martin's Richard-Esque Finale de Grand Fromage"
# "Play Out"
{{col-end}}

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:JerrySpringerTheOpera2003.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Brandon]] as Jerry in the original London Production, 2003{{deletable image-caption|Tuesday, 21 July 2015}}]] -->

==Background==
Richard Thomas's one-act opera, ''Tourette's Diva'', was performed at London's [[Battersea Arts Centre]] (BAC) in May 2000 and featured two members of a [[dysfunctional family]] singing [[swear words|obscenities]] to each other. This led Thomas to create his one-man show ''How to Write an Opera About Jerry Springer'', which was performed at BAC in February 2001.

In May 2001, Thomas returned to BAC with his show ''How to Write an Opera About Jerry Springer'', accompanied by four singers in a tiny studio theatre. It attracted positive press and investment. [[Stewart Lee]] teamed up with Thomas, and the two began to write ''Jerry Springer: The Opera''.

== Productions ==

===Battersea Arts Centre and the Edinburgh Festival===
The show received its first performance, while still under development, at BAC in August 2001, with a cast of 12. It ran for one week, selling out. When the show returned to BAC in February 2002, the three-week run sold out in advance.

The show was then performed in concert at the [[Edinburgh Festival]] in August 2002, selling out. [[Jerry Springer]] came to see the show and endorsed it, stating, "I wish I'd thought of it myself."<ref name="Thorpe2005">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jan/09/broadcasting.religion |title=F*** you, says BBC as 50,000 rage at Spr*ng*r |work=The Guardian |date= 9 January 2005|access-date=30 May 2023 | location=London | first=Vanessa | last=Thorpe}}</ref> The Edinburgh run included the introduction of character of Tremont – an amalgamation of two previous characters. Australian-born actor, [[Andrew Bevis]], created the new role.

Following the Festival run, [[Nicholas Hytner]] offered to include the show in his opening season as director of the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] in London.

===National Theatre and Cambridge Theatre===
The first fully staged production of the musical was performed at the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] on 29 April 2003, with a cast of 33, including Bevis as ''Tremont'' and [[Michael Brandon]] as ''Jerry''. It played to packed audiences and received favourable reviews. The show had its final performance at the National Theatre on 30 September 2003, before moving to the [[West End theatre|West End]].

On 10 November 2003, the show opened at the [[Cambridge Theatre]], with the same cast as the National Theatre production, and ran there until 19 February 2005, before starting a tour of the [[United Kingdom]]. The West End run was sponsored by [[British Sky Broadcasting]]. On 12 July 2004, [[David Soul]] took over the role of ''Jerry'' from [[Michael Brandon]].

In 2004, a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production was announced, and then cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |last2=Hernandez |first2=Ernio |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/jerry-springer-bound-for-broadway-com-117390 |title=''Jerry Springer'' Bound for Broadway |work=Playbill |access-date=30 May 2023 |date=January 16, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3660763.stm| title=Springer musical set for Broadway| work=BBC News| date=27 April 2004| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref>

===2006 UK tour===
In September 2005, seven months after the show closed in London's West End, it was announced that the show would tour 21 regional theatres around the United Kingdom. Nine theatres that were originally scheduled to host the show pulled out after [[Christian Voice (UK)|Christian Voice]] threatened to picket them. In addition, [[Arts Council England]] turned down a bid for funding, stating that the decision was based on the show's commercial pedigree rather than "pressure from extremist groups".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/pressnews/press_detail.php?rid=10&id=487&page=2| title=Arts Council England takes a tough stand on attacks against freedom of artistic expression| work=[[Arts Council England]]| date=19 August 2005| access-date=22 May 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928000047/http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/pressnews/press_detail.php?rid=10&id=487&page=2| archive-date = 28 September 2007}}</ref>

The tour ran for 22 weeks, starting at the Theatre Royal in [[Plymouth]] on 27 January 2006. Immediately prior to the show's opening in Plymouth, it was reported that members of the far-right [[British National Party]] were taking part in a local campaign against the performances,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4640588.stm| title=Springer tour faces new protests| work=BBC News| date=26 January 2006| access-date=22 May 2006 | first=Ian | last=Youngs}}</ref> although Christian Voice claimed to disapprove of their involvement.

The cast for the tour included several cast members from the London cast, and American actor [[Rolf Saxon]] replaced [[David Soul]] as ''Jerry Springer''. The tour had a scaled-down set and scaled-down effects as well as a smaller on-stage "audience".

=== New York ===
The show was supposed to open on Broadway in 2005; however, it was never produced.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Simonson|first=Robert|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/jerry-springer-to-open-on-broadway-oct-20-2005-after-san-fran-bow-com-119336|title=''Jerry Springer'' to Open on Broadway Oct. 20, 2005, After San Fran Bow|website=Playbill|date=26 April 2004}}</ref>

The show was performed in concert in January 2008 for two performances at [[Carnegie Hall]] in [[New York City]] with [[Harvey Keitel]] playing the title role.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/theater/31springer.html|title = And Blessed Are the Singing, Pole-Dancing Fetishists|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 31 January 2008|last1 = Brantley|first1 = Ben}}</ref> The show was picketed on 57th Street by [[American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property|The American 'TFP']], who cited the production's mockery of the Crucifixion, Mass, Eucharist, in addition to Jesus' depiction as "fat", and "a little bit a gay" as "blasphemous content".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/theater/jerry-springer-the-opera-review-terrence-mann.html|title=Review: 'Jerry Springer,' Sacred and Profane, Triumphantly Sings Again|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 February 2018|last1=Brantley|first1=Ben}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tfp.org/say-no-to-qjerry-springerq-opera-in-carnegie-hall/|title=Say No to "JERRY SPRINGER" Opera in CARNEGIE HALL|date=2008-01-29|website=The American TFP|language=en|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref>

The show's first formal performance in New York City was 23 January 2018 – 11 March 2018 at the [[Off-Broadway]] [[Pershing Square Signature Center]] venue with [[Terrence Mann]] playing the title role and [[Will Swenson (actor)|Will Swenson]] playing Satan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewgroup.org/jerryspringertheopera.html |title=Jerry Springer - the Opera - the New Group |access-date=21 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220221405/https://www.thenewgroup.org/jerryspringertheopera.html |archive-date=20 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was produced by [[The New Group]], directed by [[John Rando]], and extended until 1 April 2018 with [[Matt McGrath (actor)|Matt McGrath]] taking over the role of Jerry Springer.

This 2018 run attracted less controversy for blasphemous content. However, the production still faced criticism, with the second and third acts being described as offensive only "to those of us who appreciate quality dramaturgy".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stewart|first=Zachary|url=https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/reviews/you-will-never-see-jerry-springer-the-opera-at-the_84225.html|title=You Will Never See ''Jerry Springer — The Opera'' at the Met|website=theatermania.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-24|date=2018-02-26}}</ref> Another review suggested the Opera had lost its offensive and comedic edge due to Springer's diminished cultural relevance and shifts in the contemporary discourse.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scheck|first=Frank|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/jerry-springer-the-opera-theater-1087036|title='Jerry Springer – The Opera': Theater Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=22 February 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref> When interviewed in 2018, Richard Thomas defended the Opera's profanity and blasphemy, but admitted to removing homosexual slurs as they were "unnecessarily aggressive".<ref name="WRAL"/>

===Regional productions===

====United States of America====
The musical premiered on 17 March 2007, in semi concert-style with costumes and a minimal set at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]] in Las Vegas as a benefit for Las Vegas-based HIV/AIDS charity, Golden Rainbow. The cast featured performers for the then-current versions of ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', ''[[Mamma Mia! (musical)|Mamma Mia!]]'', and other [[Las Vegas Strip]] theatrical shows.

The show had its official American premiere in a non-equity production in [[Chicago]] at the [[Bailiwick Repertory Theatre]] that began on 3 May 2007, with a 14 May opening.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bailiwick Repertory Theatre &#124; Jerry Springer – The Opera|url=http://www.bailiwick.org/calendar/show_detail.php?ID=231|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929042927/http://www.bailiwick.org/calendar/show_detail.php?ID=231|archive-date=29 September 2007|access-date=28 March 2009|website=Bailiwick.org}}</ref>

<gallery>
Jerry_Springer_The_Opera_-_Playhouse_on_the_Square.jpg|Michael Detroit as Satan, and Jim Hopkins as Jerry Springer in the Playhouse on the Square production in Memphis, TN.
</gallery>

====Australia====
The play was staged at the [[Sydney Opera House]] from 21 to 26 April 2009, starring [[David Wenham]] as Jerry, [[David Bedella]] as Jonathan Weiruss/Satan, [[Ursula Yovich]] as Andrea/Archangel Michel, [[Kate Miller-Heidke]] as Baby Jane, [[Alison Jiear]] as Shawntel/Eve, and [[Marcus Graham]] as special guest star; also appearing are [[Andrew Bevis]] and [[James Millar (Australian actor)|James Millar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Opera House – Jerry Springer|url=http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/jerryspringer.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328145021/http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/jerryspringer.aspx|archive-date=2009-03-28|access-date=2017-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Elissa|date=17 April 2009|title=Jerry Springer: The Opera|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/jerry-springer-the-opera/2009/04/16/1239474986049.html?page=fullpage|access-date=22 April 2009}}</ref>

====Canada====
The first Canadian production opened in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]] on 16 January 2009 at [[Hart House Theatre]]. It was directed by theatre critic and Director Richard Ouzounian. Music Direction by Lily Ling and choreography by Shannon Cote. The best-selling show in Toronto for the 08 – 09 season. It featured Byron Rouse in the title Role and Jean-Paul Bevilacqua as "Jonathan/Satan". Other original Canadian Cast members include Linda Gallant (Shawntel/Eve), Scott Gorman (Montel/Adam), Jocelyn Howard (Peaches/Baby Jane), Brandi Hewitt (Zandra/Irene/Mary), Ian Bender (Tremont/Gabriel), Benjamin Mehl (Chucky/Jesus), Hayley Toane (Andrea/Angel Michael), Gregory Finney (Dwight/God), and James Schedlich (Steve Wilkos)

====Ireland====
NYMT (National Youth Musical Theatre) Ireland staged the first Irish production of Jerry Springer: The Opera in the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin. Starring Simon Delaney as Jerry and Eoin Cannon as Johnathan Weiruss/Satan, the show took place from 31 Oct – 5 Nov 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Keating|first=Sara|date=3 November 2011|title=Jerry Springer: The Opera|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/1103/1224306975516.html|access-date=5 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105071810/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/1103/1224306975516.html|archive-date=2011-11-05}}</ref>

====UK====
In August 2019 production company Northern Ricochet produced a month-long run of Jerry Springer: The Opera at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Love|first=Catherine|date=2019-08-14|title=Jerry Springer the Opera review – chatshow from hell still shocks|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/aug/14/jerry-springer-the-opera-review-hope-mill-theatre-manchester-stewart-lee|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-17|title=Jerry Springer The Opera – Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester|url=https://www.thereviewshub.com/jerry-springer-the-opera-hope-mill-theatre-manchester/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Reviews Hub|language=en-US}}</ref> It was directed by James Baker with choreography by Sindy Richardson, lighting by Aaron J. Dootson, design by Victoria Hinton and sound design by Chris Bogg. Playing the title role was Michael Howe, supported by Elizabeth Chadwick as Mary/Zandra/Irene, Robbie Waugh as Chucky/Adam, CiCi Howells as Shawntel, Matt Bond as Dwight/God, Emily Chesterton as Peaches/Baby Jane, Georgina James as Andrea/Archangel Michael, Kai Jolley as Steve, Tom Lloyd as Satan/Jonathan Weiruss, Andrew Patrick-Walker as Tremont/Angel Gabriel, Emily Clarke & Megan Davies-Truin (Swing/Ensemble) and a 13-strong choir.

== Jerry Springer's response ==
Jerry Springer saw the production in Edinburgh and "pronounced it 'wonderful'", adding that he didn't "object to anything in it", and that he "only wish[ed he'd] thought of it first".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|date=2002-08-25|title=Springer watches us watching him|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/25/edinburgh02.edinburgh|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> After the Fringe run, the show was expanded and had undergone a major rewrite, but after watching a West End preview, Thomas noted that "Jerry was not happy" and demanded the change of two lines:<ref name="thomasguardian">{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Richard |date=2023-05-02 |title=‘Jerry was freaked out’ – the writer of Jerry Springer: The Opera on their showdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/02/jerry-springer-opera-nappy-kkk-freaked-out |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* In Act I, the conclusion of Jerry's retelling of the scandal regarding his payments to a sex worker was changed from 'the next day, it was all over' to reflect the fact that he was elected mayor of Cincinnati three years later.
* In Act III, Springer also requested that his mediation monologue in Hell omit the line 'Nothing is wrong and nothing is right', which Springer objected to on the premise that "I would not say that [... because, for instance,] [[The Holocaust]] was wrong". After Thomas argued that the line was necessary because of "how high the stakes were for Jerry in the opera", Springer reluctantly agreed to keep the line.

Thomas later spoke of his appreciation for how "incredibly gracious" Springer was in handling the show:{{quote|[The] day after he died, I read the script again and was struck by how much we put the character Jerry through in our show. The outcome is dire for him ... we really stuck the boot in. There is so much in that script that he could have justifiably asked us to remove. Yet, in the end, we only had to change one line. As a result of his generosity and humility, thousands of people have been employed to do the show across the world.<ref name="thomasguardian" />}}

In later years, Springer expanded on his reactions to the show and his portrayal;{{quote|I thought they did a really good job. I mean, I'd prefer it were about someone else. It was awkward for me to watch it. For one, it's about yourself, so there's no common experience. There's no one I can ask, "Gee, how did you feel?" I can't call Figaro or Carmen and say, "Hey, how did you feel about your opera?" It's just a very personal moment that I can't express to anybody. And then I felt a little bit awkward because, as I was watching it, everyone was looking at me to see what my reaction was. It was uncomfortable.<ref>{{cite web|last=Polk |first=Brian |url=https://www.avclub.com/article/jerry-springer-14239 |title=Jerry Springer · Interview · The A.V. Club |date=13 May 2008 |website=AVClub.com |access-date=2017-03-31}}</ref>}}

==Protests and controversy==
In addition to the Christian protests at the BBC studios, there were several incidents at venues throughout the 2006 tour.  The ''Manchester Evening News'' reviewer saw the protests as misplaced, writing "an audacious and scandalous, yet ultimately moral and challenging show that's recommended to anyone who can accept the odd dose of outrage in their lives."<ref>{{cite web|last=Bourke |first=Kevin |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/theatre_and_dance_reviews/s/208/208450_jerry_springer__the_opera__opera_house.html |title=Manchester Evening News review |work=ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk |date=21 March 2006|access-date=28 March 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184837/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/theatre_and_dance_reviews/s/208/208450_jerry_springer__the_opera__opera_house.html| archive-date = 30 September 2007}}</ref> Another reviewer recommended, "don't get your knickers in such a twist, drop 'em and enjoy yourself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2721 |title=Reviews Gate.com |publisher=ReviewsGate.com |access-date=28 March 2009}}</ref>
*In [[Birmingham]], performances attracted a few protesters, and more commotion was made by audience members arguing when being presented with leaflets.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/02/06/jerry_springer_opening_feature.shtml Protests as Jerry Springer opens] [[BBC News]], February 2006</ref>
*In [[York]], leaflets were handed out by small numbers of [[Salvation Army]] and [[Christian Voice (UK)|Christian Voice]] protesters.<ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.gather.in.yorkshire.to.protest.against.ijerry.springer.the.operai./5450.htm Christians Gather in Yorkshire to Protest Against ''Jerry Springer – The Opera''], [[Christian Today]], 23 February 2006</ref>
*In [[Edinburgh]], one man from Christian Voice handed out leaflets on a few of the nights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pastor leads Jerry Springer musical protests at theatre |url=http://news.scotsman.com/festival-news/Pastor-leads-Jerry-Springer-musical.5554816.jp?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=1000 |website=The Scotsman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021200056/http://www.scotsman.com/news/pastor-leads-jerry-springer-musical-protests-at-theatre-1-1215287 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |date=14 August 2009}}</ref>
*In [[Cardiff]] and throughout [[South Wales]], 100 church leaders signed a letter expressing their wishes for the show to be cancelled. The [[Archbishop of Wales]], [[Barry Morgan (bishop)|Barry Morgan]], expressed his concern, stating that the show was 'gratuitously offensive'. In further comments he stated, 'The producer of this opera says that if he manages to incite religious hatred then the opera has done its job: I think that is a terrible intention for an opera to have'. Hundreds of Christians protested outside the [[Wales Millennium Centre]], brandishing placards and singing hymns to theatregoers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/jerry.springer.opens.to.more.protests.in.cardiff/6575.htm|title=Jerry Springer Opens to More Protests in Cardiff – Christian News on Christian Today|website=christiantoday.com|date=13 June 2006 }}</ref>
*In [[Aberdeen]], the Christian Institute pushed for supporters to lobby local council members, directors on the board of Aberdeen Performing Arts and the Press and Journal. Stewart Lee called this one of the most vitriolic reactions to the show. Ultimately, only a few protesters picketed the theatre, handing out leaflets.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.christian.org.uk/js_opera/theatres/aberdeen.htm | title=Jerry Springer the Opera His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen | work=christian.org.uk | access-date=2013-10-05 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104210359/http://www.christian.org.uk/js_opera/theatres/aberdeen.htm | archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref>

===Consequences===
The opposition by Christian Voice caused the cancer charity [[Maggie's Centres]] to reject a £3,000 donation from ''Jerry Springer: The Opera''. Christian Voice threatened to picket their centres, which provide palliative care to cancer sufferers and their families. It claimed it had warned the charity that accepting cash from a show full of "filth and blasphemy" would be a public relations disaster.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4289915.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Row over Springer opera donation |work=BBC News |date=23 February 2005|access-date=28 March 2009}}</ref>

In January 2007 Christian Voice, represented by Stephen Green, attempted to prosecute BBC director-general [[Mark Thompson (television executive)|Mark Thompson]] for blasphemy over the show. A summons was refused due to lack of [[prima facie]] evidence that a crime had been committed, and a provision of the [[Theatres Act 1968|1968 Theatres Act]] which enshrines the right of free expression in theatrical works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press028.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706125908/http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press028.html|archive-date=2008-07-06 |title=Press Release |website=Christian Voice |access-date=28 March 2009}}</ref> An appeal to the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] was dismissed on 5 December 2007, with the decision of the lower court upheld on all counts and ruling that it was reasonable to conclude that the play "in context" could not be considered as blasphemous.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7128552.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Springer opera court fight fails |work=BBC News |date=5 December 2007|access-date=28 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite BAILII |country=EW |litigants=Green, R (on the application of) v The City of Westminster Magistrates' Court |court=EWHC |division=Admin |year=2007| num=2785 |para= |date=5 December 2007}}</ref>

Asked about the controversy during an interview with ''[[The Observer]]'' in 2009, Lee stated:

<blockquote>If you have been on the verge of becoming a millionaire and that has not happened because of far-right pressure groups, and your work has been banned and taken apart, and you've been threatened with prosecution, and the police have advised people involved with your production to go into hiding, and bed and breakfasts won't have the cast to stay because they're blasphemers, and you have to cross a [[British National Party|BNP]] picket line to go to work in Plymouth, you do start to think, well, what can be worse than that?<ref name="O'Hagan">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/dec/06/stewart-lee-comedy-interview|title=Interview: Stewart Lee|last=O'Hagan|first=Sean|date=6 December 2009|work=The Observer|access-date=6 December 2009 | location=London}}</ref></blockquote>

Asked if the experience affected his stand-up comedy, Lee replied: "It did make me feel there was not much point ever trying to reach a mass audience with anything interesting and provocative. You just run the risk of being misunderstood on a large scale."<ref name="O'Hagan"/>

==Profanity==
The musical contains extensive [[profanity]]. It has been accused of including "8,000 obscenities"<ref name=autogenerated2 />—it is not known where this count originated, but the 8,000 figure is popularly quoted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=929&id=22312005 |title=BBC braced for Springer musical storm |publisher=[[Edinburgh Evening News]] |date=8 January 2005 |access-date=22 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423083150/http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=929&id=22312005 |archive-date=23 April 2006 }}</ref> 8,000 obscenities over the show's 120-minute runtime would imply that there were 66 obscenities a minute, and thus more than 1 per second. Several publications, including the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' and ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'', claimed a figure of "3,168 mentions of the word [[fuck]] and 297 of the word [[cunt]]". According to the BBC investigation, however, there were 96 uses of "fuck" and nine uses of "cunt".  The BBC report said: "While a substantial number, this was not necessarily unacceptable in terms of late night terrestrial television."<ref>{{cite web
| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/text/apps_springer_text.shtml
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021082303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/text/apps_springer_text.shtml
| archive-date=2007-10-21
| title=Finding by the Governors' Programme Complaints Committee: Jerry Springer – the Opera, BBC Two
| date=March 2005
| access-date=22 May 2006
}}</ref> The numbers reported by the ''Mail'' and the ''Sun'' were found by multiplying the number of cast members singing a profanity at the same time, i.e. the reported 297 uses of the word [[cunt]] is the result of multiplying the 33 cast members by the nine occurrences of the word.

According to writer Stewart Lee, there are 174 swear words in all.<ref>{{cite news
| last=Lee
| first=Stewart
| url=https://www.theguardian.com/arts/features/story/0,,1710038,00.html
| title=Christian Voice is outside, praying for our souls&nbsp;...| work=The Guardian
| date=15 February 2006
| access-date=22 May 2006
| location=London
}}</ref>

==UK Parliament==

The BBC's role in broadcasting the musical was raised in the UK Parliament. Generally, they voiced more concern over the reactions of Christian groups than over the show itself.

Early Day Motion no 488, THE BBC AND JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, was tabled on 12 January 2005, by [[Jeffrey Donaldson]] MP:

<blockquote>That this House regards with dismay the decision by the BBC to broadcast Jerry Springer – The Opera on BBC2, causing widespread offence to Christians and those of other faiths by its mocking portrayal of Jesus Christ, Holy Communion and some of the central tenets of the Christian faith; condemns the show's juvenile and offensive use of repeated profanity in an attempt at humour; further notes that it is particularly serious that the show should have been transmitted by the publicly-funded national broadcaster and questions whether it places the Corporation in breach of its Charter; laments the arrogant dismissal of Christian concerns by the content of programmes aired by the BBC; and calls on the government publicly to rebuke the corporation for its attack on the religion adhered to by over 70 per cent. of the UK population and for its lowest common denominator approach to ethics in its attempts to chase ratings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/27040/bbc-and-jerry-springer-the-opera |title=Early day motion 488 – THE BBC AND JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA – UK Parliament |website=Parliament.uk |date=2005-01-12 |access-date=2023-05-23}}</ref>
</blockquote>

EDM no 531, BBC AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, was later tabled on 17 January 2005 by [[Evan Harris]] MP:

<blockquote>That this House applauds the decision by the BBC to stick by its decision to broadcast, 'Jerry Springer – The Opera' on BBC2 on 8 January, despite the orchestrated campaign from religious pressure groups, the irresponsible actions of one of which caused alarm and distress to the families of BBC executives by making public their contact details and exposing them to hate attacks; believes that individuals have a choice whether or not to watch programmes which they are warned might be offensive to them, and that broadcasters have the right and duty to broadcast a variety of work, some of which may receive differing critical opinions; recognises that in any case this particular programme was of undoubted artistic merit as demonstrated by the opera having attracted a record number of awards, and substantial theatre audiences; reminds the BBC that its own study What the World Thinks of God suggested Britain was the most religiously sceptical country in the world and that as a publicly-funded national broadcaster the Corporation has a duty to reflect society in its output which will entail broadcasting programmes which some religious people find offensive; and calls on the BBC to stand firm against the increasingly assertive religious pressure being applied to restrict freedom of expression.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/27072/bbc-and-freedom-of-expression|title=BBC and Freedom of Expression|website=Parliament.uk|access-date=30 May 2023|date=17 January 2005}}</ref>
</blockquote>

EDM no 1270, JERRY SPRINGER DVD WITHDRAWAL, was tabled on 14 December 2005 by [[Don Foster, Baron Foster of Bath|Don Foster]] MP:

<blockquote>That this House agrees with Noam Chomsky that 'if you're really in favour of free speech, then you're in favour of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you're not in favour of free speech'; regrets the apparent decision of Sainsbury's and Woolworths to respond to minimal pressure by withdrawing DVDs of Jerry Springer: the Opera from sale in their stores; recognises that Jerry Springer: the Opera is a widely acclaimed work of art having won eight major awards including best musical at the Olivier Awards, the Critics' Circle Awards and the Evening Standard Awards; notes that vociferous minority pressure groups now increasingly target works of art with the outcome that the majority are sometimes denied the choice to judge works for themselves; and calls on the Government to ensure that freedom of expression remains a central principle of society and to protect the ability of individuals to explore comprehensively and lawfully all aspects of culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2005-06/1270 |title=Early day motion 1270 – JERRY SPRINGER DVD WITHDRAWAL – UK Parliament |website=Parliament.uk |access-date=2017-03-31}}</ref>
</blockquote>

EDM no 488 received 5 supporting signatories. EDM no 531 received 16 signatories. EDM no 1270 received 40 signatories.

==Awards and nominations==
The show won four awards at the 2004 [[Laurence Olivier Awards]]; Best New Musical, Best Sound Design, Best Actor in a Musical (David Bedella) and Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (the Chorus).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/winners | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412184654/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/winners | archive-date=2006-04-12| title=Laurence Olivier Awards: Past Winners| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120111160309/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item71523/Kelly%2C-Dench-and-Jerry-honoured-at-Olivier-Awards/ "Oliviers:Kelly, Dench and Jerry honoured at Olivier Awards"].  officiallondontheatre, 23 February 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2011</ref> It also won Best Musical at the 2004 [[Critics' Circle Theatre Awards]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.albemarle-london.com/awards/cc0105.html#2003| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504124644/http://www.albemarle-london.com/awards/cc0105.html#2003| archive-date=2006-05-04| title=Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for 2001–04| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref> Best Musical at the 2003 [[Evening Standard Awards]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3233252.stm| title=Springer musical wins theatre prize| work=BBC News| date=24 November 2003| access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref> and the 2004 [[Theatregoers' Choice Award|WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards]] Best New Musical and London Newcomer of the Year (Benjamin Lake).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=awardsreal&yr=2004 |title=Whatsonstage.com Theatregoer's Choice Awards 2004 |access-date=22 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316180938/http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=awardsreal&yr=2004 |archive-date=16 March 2006 }}</ref> The show won four awards at the 2003 Nowt2Do.Com Awards, Best Actor in a Musical (David Bedella) Best Actress in a Musical (Alison Jiear) Best London Show and Most Entertaining Show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowt2do.co.uk/awards.php|title=Nowt2Do.Com Awards|access-date=24 May 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422131852/http://www.nowt2do.co.uk/awards.php|archive-date=22 April 2006}}</ref>
In 2006, the show won Best Touring Production at the [[TMA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=greenroom&story=E8821160917530&PHPSESSID=fa564ca6819219da4da1c33d91cdf354 |title=TMA Awards by Whatsonstage.com |access-date=15 October 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

It is the only show ever to win all four "Best Musical" awards.

===Original London production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="11" style="text-align:center;"| 2003
| [[Evening Standard Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| Nowt2Do.Com Award
| colspan="2"| Best London Show
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Best Actor in a Musical
| [[David Bedella]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Wills Morgan
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress in a Musical
| [[Alison Jiear]]
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Ensemble Performance
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Must See Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Funniest Night Out
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Most Entertaining Night Out
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Spectacle
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Most Unusual Night Out
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="24" style="text-align:center;"| 2004
| rowspan="8"| [[Critics' Circle Theatre Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best New Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Best Actor in a Musical
| [[David Bedella]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Michael Brandon]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress in a Musical
| [[Alison Jiear]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
| The Chorus
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Director
| [[Stewart Lee]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Theatre Choreographer
| Jenny Arnold
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Sound Designer
| Mike Walker
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="8"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[David Bedella]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Michael Brandon]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Alison Jiear]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| The Chorus
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Stewart Lee]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| Jenny Arnold
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design]]
| Mike Walker
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[Theatregoers' Choice Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best New Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Best Actor in a Musical
| [[David Bedella]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Michael Brandon]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress in a Musical
| [[Alison Jiear]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| London Newcomer of the Year
| Benjamin Lake
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Choreographer
| Jenny Arnold
| {{nom}}
|}

===Original UK tour===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2006
| [[TMA Award]]
| colspan="2"| Best Touring Production
| {{won}}
|}

===2018 Off Broadway Production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2018
| rowspan="4"| [[Lucille Lortel Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Outstanding Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
| Terrence Mann
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
| Sean Patrick Doyle
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
| Tiffany Mann
| {{won}}
|}

==Television broadcast==
''Jerry Springer: The Opera'' was the subject of controversy when the [[BBC]] televised the musical on 8 January 2005 as part of an evening of Jerry Springer-themed programming on [[BBC Two]]. News of the screening had prompted TV standards campaigners [[mediawatch-uk|Mediawatch]] to write a letter to the Chairman of the BBC Governors, [[Michael Grade]], asking him to reconsider the decision to show the musical.<ref>{{cite news
 |last=Beyer 
 |first=John C
 |url=http://www.mediawatchuk.org/news%20and%20views/Jerry%20Springer%20The%20Opera.htm 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124205717/http://www.mediawatchuk.org/news%20and%20views/Jerry%20Springer%20The%20Opera.htm 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-date=24 January 2005 
 |title=BBC urged to reconsider Jerry Springer The Opera 
 |website=[[mediawatch-uk|Mediawatch]] 
 |date=4 January 2005 
 |access-date=22 May 2006 
}}</ref>

On 7 January, the day before the broadcast, the BBC announced that it had received over 47,000 complaints about its plans to screen the musical – at the time the most complaints ever received about a British television broadcast.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news
| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4154071.stm
| title=Protests as BBC screens Springer
| work=BBC News
| date=10 January 2005
| access-date=22 May 2006
}}</ref><ref name="Thorpe2005"/> Many commentators, including the BBC, attributed such a high volume of complaints to an orchestrated campaign by various [[Christianity|Christian]] groups. Supporters of the BBC's broadcasting of the show pointed out that the supposedly blasphemous content was clearly presented as a fantasy in the mind of the dying central character and was not intended to be a serious comment on Christ or Christian theology. John Beyer, chairman of Mediawatch-UK, argued that the BBC should shoulder much of the blame for the campaign against the musical since they had promoted the musical as "pushing back the boundaries of taste" and "controversial" when it had never been intended to offend the groups who campaigned against it.

In November 2005, a [[DVD]] of the show was made available in the UK by [[Pathé]] through [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Jerry Springer: The Opera (TV Movie 2005) – IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441324/faq|access-date=2021-04-13}}</ref> However, because of complaints by customers, [[Sainsbury's]] and [[Woolworths Group plc|Woolworths]] decided to stop selling the DVD. Many [[blog]]s and [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] MP [[Lynne Featherstone]]<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2005/12/jerry-springer-opera-dvd.htm
| title=Jerry Springer: The Opera DVD
| date=6 December 2005
| access-date=22 May 2006
}}</ref> condemned the action from the stores as being [[corporate censorship]], something which both retailers deny. Most other retailers continued to stock the DVD.<ref>{{cite news
| last=Connor
| first=Alan
| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4507636.stm
| title=Merry Hell
| work=BBC News
| date=8 December 2005
| access-date=22 May 2006
}}</ref>

On the DVD's commentary, it was stated that it would not be possible to tour the show in the UK due to pressure from religious groups, but since the release of the DVD, the UK Tour 2006 went forward. The DVD commentary also stated that Stewart Lee was unhappy with an unscripted action by Alison Jiear. In the "Adam and Eve and Mary" scene in Act II, Jiear runs her hand under Jesus's loincloth, prompting a surprised look from Leon Craig, the actor playing Jesus. Lee said on the commentary, "I wish she hadn't done that".

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061001185756/http://www.bailiwick.org/calendar/show_detail.php?ID=9 Balliwick Repertory Theatre]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110516135126/http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/springer.html Christian Voice website about the show]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060804093342/http://jerryspringertheopera.com/ ''Jerry Springer – The Opera'' website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070515073830/http://www.stewartlee.co.uk/springertheoperarev.html Links to reviews of the show]
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441324/faq IMDb FAQ regarding the filmed version]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/02/jerry-springer-opera-nappy-kkk-freaked-out 'Jerry was freaked out' – the writer of Jerry Springer: The Opera on their showdown]

{{The Jerry Springer Show}}
{{Lee and Herring}}
{{OlivierAward Musical 2001–2025}}

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